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Will Ferrell to Star in, Produce 'The House' for New Line (Exclusive)

'Neighbors' writers Andrew J. Cohen and Brendan O'Brien wrote the script, and Cohen also will direct.

New Line Cinema has bought the comedy script The House from Neighbors writers Andrew J. Cohen and Brendan O'Brien. Will Ferrell will star in and produce the comedy.

Sources say there was a lot of strong interest in the project from the hot writing duo, whose Neighbors was a breakout hit in 2014. The story centers on a married couple (husband played by Ferrell) who lose their daughter's college fund. They team up with their neighbors to start an illegal casino in their basement to earn back the cash.

Along with co-writing the project, Cohen will make his feature film directorial debut with The House. He's previously directed short films and Funny or Die sketches, and he's now ready to take the helm on a feature film as a writer-director.

New Line is moving fast on the hot project, aiming for an August shoot.

Ferrell and Adam McKay will produce through their Gary Sanchez banner along with Good Universe. Chris Henchyand Jessica Elbaumare executive producing.

Richard Brener, Michael Disco and Sam Brown are overseeing The House for New Line.

After Neighbors hit theaters in May 2014, it earned a stunning $268.2 million worldwide. Cohen and O'Brien wrote the script for the upcoming comedy Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, which will star Neighbors actor Zac Efron and Pitch Perfect star Adam DeVine. Fox has set the film for release on July 8, 2016. Cohen and O'Brien are repped by CAA.

Ferrell will next be seen in Get Hard with Kevin Hart,out on March 27. His other upcoming movies include Daddy's Home and Zeroville, directed by James Franco. He's repped by CAA, Mosaic and Jackoway Tyerman.